Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow CHAPTER II. - Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans

Return to Title Page for Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Religion

CHAPTER II. - John Calvin, Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans [1539]

Edition used:

Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans, trans. from the original Latin by the Rev. John Owen (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1849).

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


CHAPTER II.

1Therefore inexcusable art thou, O man, who judgest; for in what thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself, for2 the same things doest thou who judgest. Now we know that God’s judgment is according to truth on those who do such things.

3And thinkest thou, O man, who judgest those who do such things and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment4 of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and gentleness, not knowing that the goodness of God5 leads thee to repentance? but according to thy hardness and a heart that cannot repent, thou treasurest for thyself wrath for the day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment6 of God; who will render to every one according to his7 works,—to those indeed, who by perseverance in doing good,8 seek glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are contentious and disobedient to the truth and obey9 unrighteousness, there shall be indignation and wrath: tribulation and anguish shall be on every soul of man who doeth evil,10 the Jew first, then the Greek; but glory and honour and peace shall be to every one who works good, to the Jew first, then11 to the Greek; since there is no respect of persons with God.

12For whosoever have without the law sinned, shall also without the law perish; but whosoever have under the law sinned,13 shall by the law be judged: for not the hearers of the law are just before God; but they who do the law shall be justified.14 When indeed the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the things of the law, they, having not the law, are a law to15 themselves; who show the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience at the same time attesting, and their16 thoughts accusing or excusing each other, in the day in which God will judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, through Jesus Christ.

17Behold, thou art named a Jew, and restest in the law and18 gloriest in God, and knowest his will and approvest of things19 excellent, being instructed from the law, and art confident that thou thyself art a leader to the blind, a light to those who are20 in darkness, an instructor to the foolish, a teacher to the ignorant, because thou hast the form of knowledge and of the truth21 according to the law: Yet thou who teachest another, dost not teach thyself; thou who preachest “steal not,” stealest; thou22 who sayest, “commit no adultery,” committest adultery; thou23 who hatest idols, committest sacrilege; thou who gloriest in the24 law, by transgressing the law dishonourest God; for the name of God, as it is written, is reproached on your account among the nations.

25For circumcision indeed profits, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is turned26 into uncircumcision. If then the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted27 for circumcision? and shall not he who is by nature uncircumcision judge thee, (if he keep the law,) who by the letter and28 circumcision art a transgressor of the law? For not he who is a Jew openly, is a Jew; nor is that circumcision which is openly29 in the flesh: but he who is one in secret is a Jew; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; the praise of whom is not from men, but from God.